US erred in leaving China on sidelines: Dutch journalist

After extensive interviews, with hundreds of people from all walks of life, Obbema published the Dutch version of China and the West: Hope and Fear in the Age of Asia. The English language version, which is also available, has a special chapter dedicated to President Xi Jinping, who visited the Netherlands last year. Obbema attended the banquet, giving him the opportunity to make first-hand observations on the Chinese leader.

"On his personality, I think you can say that he surprised all the China-watchers in the Western world by being a very confident and not a risk-averse type of leader," says Obbema.

Obbema says Xi has demonstrated admirable qualities in the ongoing anti-corruption campaign. "And we have also seen this on the global stage," he adds. "We have seen that in the AIIB, of course."

He says Brussels and Washington have asked Beijing to be a responsible stakeholder and that Beijing has responded positively, especially by offering to set up and lead on the AIIB. "Many European countries have welcomed it, but the US has failed to understand the importance of the AIIB."

Obbema, referring to Washington's decision to exclude China from the TPP, says: "To be honest I think that it's the same case as with the AIIB. The US made a mistake in not including China, because it can easily be seen as a move to contain China."

He presents two models of the China-US relationship: the G2 or the Cold War 2.0. "And I'm afraid that this move, by putting China aside, is more moving toward what I call Cold War 2.0 than I would have liked," he says.

It is a bad strategy by Washington, which should give leeway to the Chinese because they have legitimate cause for wanting to have a greater say in their backyard. The Dutch journalist also says Obama's words after the TPP announcement show a certain level of frustration from Washington toward the balance of power in Asia-Pacific.

He says that if China's policy makers view the US as an opponent then they, too, could fall into the trap of enemy-thinking logic. "I think that should be avoided at all costs. It is very unhealthy if the most important relationship in the world is not going in the right direction."

There are other ties that need nurturing, though. The European Union is China's biggest trading partner, with more than $1.3 billion of goods trading between the two on a daily basis. Obemma suggests that China avoid solely focusing on the UK when it comes to European trade and investment because a strong Europe is in China's interests.

"I think China could help us a little by taking Brussels more seriously and that would be my wish for Chinese strategy."